Habitat use of wintering waterbirds at seashore aquaculture ponds were studied in Jiangjing Huaqiao Farm (25°29′-25°33′ N,119°23′-119°26′ E),Northeast Xinghua Bay in Fujian Province from December 2007 to March 2008.Six ponds,totally 360 hm² in size,were selected for sampling avian community.Total of 25 species belong to 6 orders 8 families were recorded.Habitat use at aquaculture ponds by wintering waterbirds were highly influenced by tidal model.Characteristics of waterbird community were obviously difference with levels.Number of species and abundance of waterbirds increased with tide flooding,while the number of dominant species reduced correspondingly.However,Shannon-wiener index (H′) and species evenness (J′) depressed with tide rising,and dominance index (C′) increased.Water depth of ponds was another important factor which influenced habitat use of waterbirds.The species composition and density of avian communities varied significantly with water depths in habitat.Shorebirds,gulls,egrets and herons inhabited in ponds with medium or shallow water.Ducks mainly used deep water ponds,and only a few birds of egrets and herons found in dry ponds.The seashore aquaculture ponds were crucial habitats temporarily used by waterbirds during high tide period.Scientific management is recommended for aquaculture ponds and tideland as the habitat of wintering waterbirds.